Sudan Archive

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This influential religious movement - it is truly regrettable that the Khatmiyya Tariqa - a significant part of the country's history - is witnessing a great decline on all levels. Unfortunately, it has failed to produce thinkers who write and compose. It was previously known for Sayyid Hashim, Sayyid Jaafar, Sayyid al-Khatm, and among the followers of the Khatmiyya, Ahmed bin Muhammad al-Nasih and others. It also continued to provide society with reformers and renewers for religious life, but all of that has come to nothing. While religious sciences are not for everyone but a specialization in which one obtains an academic and scientific degree, the Khatmiyya Tariqa presents individuals who can at best be described as unqualified for what they do, yet the Khatmiyya considers them scholars and refers to them for religious fatwas. The womb of the Tariqa has become barren in this phase, unable to produce a generation of people of opinion and intellect and knowledge. It was natural for these to be replaced by a group of unqualified individuals who are merely pretenders. The Khatmiyya Tariqa now does not possess a single scientific institute where it can present its ideas or display its literature. And although I do not agree with the opinion expressed by the astute journalist Diaa al-Din Bilal that the Al-Mirghani family will end up like the family of Ali Dinar, respect for them and their historical role remains, and loyalty and influence will depart from them. The Al-Mirghani family still possesses wealth and a lot of money, but it needs the efforts of sincere followers of the Khatmiyya, their intellect, and their time. It is very important that the thinking of the leaders of the Khatmiyya changes, and that the style of the successors changes, which is a barren style that has produced nothing but groups of commoners and seekers of influence, and beggars at the doors of politics. At such a time, society needs convincing, believing, and sincere role models, far from useless Sufi illusions and fantasies. It has also been a long time since the Khatmiyya Tariqa engaged in writing, printing, and publishing, as we mentioned. Everything that has been published needs revision to align with present religious thought. Where is the Khatmiyya today in relation to major institutions of education, health, treatment, and social work? And where is the Khatmiyya in relation to the general public in terms of Islamic call and work?

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